Super-Nova was a little astronaut. Super-Nova was brave, but also a bit shy. Their helmet was big. Their boots went tap-tap.
Super-Nova lived in the Crystal Nebula. It looked like soft clouds made of glass. It shimmered. It rang like tiny bells when you floated by.
One morning, Super-Nova saw something wrong.
The nebula colors were fading. Pink was pale. Blue was sleepy.
Super-Nova whispered, “Oh no.”
A friend zoomed in. It was Star Collector. Star Collector was quick and curious. They carried a small pouch that jingled.
Star Collector said, “I collect stars! I can help!”
Super-Nova nodded. “We must restore the colors.”
They drifted to a crystal hill. On top sat a dim lamp called the Color Beacon. It used to glow and paint the nebula bright.
Now it was almost off.
A cool hush slid over them.
Living Shadow stretched across the crystals. It moved like a dark blanket.
Living Shadow sighed, “I like it quiet. I like it gray.”
Super-Nova felt a wiggle of fear in their tummy. But they held Star Collector’s hand.
Star Collector whispered, “We can be gentle. We can be smart.”
They floated closer. Super-Nova spoke softly. “Living Shadow, are you lonely?”
Living Shadow paused. The darkness stopped swaying.
“I… am tired,” it said. “Bright light pokes my eyes.”
Super-Nova thought. “We don’t want to hurt you. We want the colors back. Maybe we can make a smaller light. A cozy light.”
Star Collector grinned. “I have star bits! Tiny ones!”
From the jingling pouch, Star Collector poured three tiny stars. Plink. Plink. Plink. They were little, like buttons.
Super-Nova found a clear crystal bowl. They set the star bits inside.
Super-Nova said, “We will build a soft beacon.”
They worked together.
Super-Nova tightened a ring. Twist-twist.
Star Collector tapped the crystal. Tap-tap.
The bowl began to glow. Not too bright. Warm like a night-light.
Living Shadow leaned in.
“Oh,” it murmured. “That feels nice.”
The Color Beacon on the hill flickered.
Super-Nova gently pointed the soft glow toward it.
The old beacon woke up. It yawned with light.
Pink returned. Blue giggled back. Gold sparkled.
The Crystal Nebula sang with chime-chime sounds.
Living Shadow did not run away.
It curled beside the hill like a sleepy pet.
“I can share,” it said. “I can shade the light when it is too much.”
Super-Nova smiled inside the helmet. “Thank you.”
Star Collector clapped. “Teamwork!”
Then something wonderful happened.
The beacon popped out a gift.
A small chest floated down. It was made of crystal.
Click!
Inside were bright color gems, safe and shiny.
Star Collector gasped. “Treasure!”
Super-Nova held a gem. It glowed in their glove.
“I will keep these for later,” Super-Nova said. “If colors ever fade again, we can fix it fast.”
Living Shadow hummed, low and calm.
The nebula was bright, but also cozy.
Super-Nova and Star Collector drifted home, tap-tap boots in the air, with a pocket full of color gems and a happy, glowing sky.